Richard Overton, America's Oldest WWII Veteran, Turns 112 In this March 23, 2017, file photo, Richard Overton leaves the court after a presentation honoring him as the oldest living American war veteran, in a basketball game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs. (AP Austin American-Statesman 11 May 2018 By Nancy Flores He's met celebrities, presidents and comedians. He's experienced war and peace. He's accumulated countless accolades. But for America's oldest living World War II veteran Richard Overton, there's nothing better than hanging out on his front porch, smoking cigars and greeting passers-by who treat him, rightly so, like the neighborhood king. On Friday, Overton will celebrate his 112th birthday with a community celebration at his East Austin home on the street that now bears his name -- Richard Overton Avenue. The birthday bash, hosted by Austin hip-hop duo Riders Against the Storm and featuring music by DJ Kay Cali, will be 4 to 7 p.m. "I love to have a birthday," Overton said Thursday from his porch. "That's another day. I hope I live another five years." Overton is believed to be the oldest living American and the third-oldest person in the world.The super-centenarian has no plans of slowing down. Since his last birthday, he's kept busy. "I'm enjoying myself," he said. Last month, he flew in a private jet to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, where he received a private tour and met former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Overton's buddy Allen Bergeron, who works with Austin veterans, introduced him to billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Robert Smith, who made the trip possible. This type of magical moment tends to happen to the veteran nowadays. In March, he visited an East Austin mural on the corner of 12th and Chicon streets, where a portrait of him graces a utility box in front of a mural featuring African-American and Latino cultural icons such as Selena. Artist Chris Rogers included Overton in the new piece after the artist's original mural, painted in 2014, was removed. Last summer, Overton's home of more than 70 years received major repairs that helped make his sanctuary safer and more accessible. Overton enjoyed central air and heating for the first time since he built the home in the 1940s. The makeover, provided by the Meals on Wheels Central Texas' home repair program, has allowed him to continue living in his own home. Overton, who was born on May 11, 1906, in Bastrop County, served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945 as part of the all-black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion. In 2016, his family created an online fundraising page to hire round-the-clock home health care to keep him living independently. The latest fundraising goal is $400,000. "He's like a gift to Austin that keeps giving," said his friend Steve Wiener. "He's a crackerjack. When people sense his humor and playfulness, it just lightens everyone's step." When asked about the secret to a long life, Overton glanced at his cigar and said, "Don't give up. Keep on living." _________________________________________________________________________ From a separate article.... How he lives Here’s what I gathered from several articles and videos about Richard Overton: He still drives – a Ford pickup He owns a lot of guns If he wakes up at 2 o’clock in the morning, he just gets up He drinks up to 4 cups of coffee in the morning He adds bourbon whiskey to his coffee He smokes cigars, perhaps 10 a day. He’s very active in his church Has a 91-year-old girlfriend He’s lean He avoids stress – he’s easy going and says he’s stayed out of trouble How his lifestyle contributes to his longevity He’s lean and he fasts I”m beginning to think that drinking coffee and whiskey and smoking cigars is healthier than eating a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with skim milk for breakfast. Not that the former is so great, but compare it to the alternative that most people have for breakfast. By doing so, he’s not raising his blood sugar or contributing to insulin resistance. Coffee is also associated with better health and a longer life, and inhibits iron absorption. By having only coffee and whiskey for breakfast, he may be practicing a form of intermittent fasting. At least, he doesn’t seem to be eating around the clock like almost everyone else these days. Moderate alcohol drinking is associated with less heart disease. He might be practicing hormesis by smoking cigars. Tobacco use is associated with much less Parkinson’s disease. He’s said that he doesn’t inhale; while cigar smoking is associated with higher death rates, much of that appears to be due to lung cancer, which is caused by inhaling smoke. While I’m not recommending cigar smoking, it doesn’t seem to have harmed Mr. Overton. He’s not overweight. There aren’t too many fat centenarians. He doesn’t sleep too much Too much sleep, over 8.5 hours, is associated with higher mortality. He’s active He still drives and owns guns. While someone in better health could be expected to stay more active, being active also helps one stay in better health. He goes to church Being socially active and especially attending church is associated with longer life. He has a girlfriend and a family and lots of friends. He avoids stress Overton appears very easy-going. He’s said that after having bullets fly around him in the Pacific in World War II, nothing else could bother him. He said that he’s stayed out of trouble. That could mean avoiding bad people and dangerous things, thus avoiding getting hurt in a crime or an accident. If you want to live a long time, that’s a necessity. Conclusion Undoubtedly, Mr. Overton is blessed with a great genetic makeup. But some of his lifestyle could contribute to his long life. http://roguehealthandfitness.com/coffee-whiskey-and-cigar-longevity-diet/